Dendrophylax Lindenii (ghost orchid) in bloom

[aaronsaxton]

Here is a picture of my Ghost Orchid in bloom - flower is still opening up.

This is my engagement gift to my fiancé to whom I am marrying in June.

[WhiteRabbit]

Awesome!

[theroc1217]

It looks fantastic. What can you provide in terms of culture notes? What's the rest of your setup like, and how big is the plant?

[aaronsaxton]

I would follow the general culture of the Ghost Orchid instructions you find on-line generally. Yes, there are other things omitted from these growing culture points on the Ghost Orchid, however I am not in a position to really advise on anything.

I am a theory of the Ghost Orchid culture which to date has proven 100% correct, but until a few other steps have been accomplished it is incomplete work and not totally proven.

I will expect in 12-18 months to be able to release a very precise guide on the orchid. I have many mistakes to make yet!

[Franco24]

You have done, what I have been trying ever so hard and long to do. This orchid is what got me hooked on orchids. I have sought after this flower for many years. I have killed many trying to grow it and finally too have some seedlings growing happily in a net pot, mounted on cork, with a layer of sphagnum moss beneath for added moisture and humidity. They're currently summering outside in a shady corner and are wintered indoors suspended in a glass case for humidity.

Please, if there are any tips you can share or advice you'd be willing to give by posting here or sharing via PM - I'd greatly appreciate it.

Until then, I envy your success and strive to do the same under my conditions. I look forward to following your progress and learning what I can.

[theroc1217]

A lot of people drape them with spanish moss to increase humidity and reduce water loss.

[Bud]

AMAZING!
This is very hard to grow in captivity.
I have a couple of plants that might flower for me next year.
I am glad to know that it is possible to bloom this orchid out of situ.

[Calbears]

Nice work! Please keep us posted as the flower opens up.

[naoki]

Franco and Bud, so you two are also successful in growing them. How are you growing and any tips? I tried several things, but it died after 1 year without much growth. Mine was small seedlings from Oak Hill Gardens. Did you start from something bigger?

I think the problem with mine was that I didn't provide enough heat. I glued it to several tree, RH 70-90%, 4" from T5HO, sprinkle spanish moss, watering with 50ppm N MSU 1-2 per day. But the temp was 60-80F.

[aaronsaxton]

Well, the flower partially opened and never was fully developed - most likely cause my attempt to force it to exist quicker than normal.

So it died off very quickly. I have since then instigated conditions to force the old flower spike to re-produce another bud (reactivate the flower spike). SO I now have a new flower bud popping out. I will have to make sure I do not attempt to accelerate growth on this one.

Of course the downside is I will be sapping more energy from the plant and will after it has bloomed spend a year growing roots and getting it's strength back up. Doing this (making ti reproduce flowers again and again) could potentially kill the plant, but it is a risk I am willing to take.

Let's see where it stands in 2 weeks from now.